Latest version of German brand’s endurance road bike also gains an integrated stem and top tube mounts
Focus has unveiled a new version of its Paralane endurance road bike, claiming a revised frame design saves weight and increases stiffness while retaining all-day comfort.
The second-generation Paralane targets riders who want to travel far, but without sacrificing comfort and practicality for speed.
Focus has added top tube mounts and increased stack height, while retaining the Paralane’s clearance for 35mm-wide tyres (or 33mm with mudguards).
While the German brand doesn’t make any performance claims about the Paralane, it says it uses similarly aerodynamic tube shapes as its Izalco Max race bike.
The Paralane remains competitively priced compared to the best endurance road bikes. The top-of-the-range Paralane 8.9 with Ultegra Di2 R8170 costs £5,199 / €5,299 / AU$6,999 (US pricing is to be confirmed).
“Look fast, go comfy”
The new Paralane frame uses a simplified version of the truncated NACA (National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics) aerofoil shape introduced to the latest Izalco Max.
On its race bike, the German brand claims this design saves 1 minute 45 seconds over 45km compared to the previous version (measured at 45kph).
The pointed, leading edge of the tubes thickens and rounds off at the back. As a result, the Paralane has a similar silhouette to the Izalco Max.
Look more closely and the taper of the Paralane’s tubes is pronounced, so the down tube and head tube are considerably thicker. Therefore, the Paralane frame weighs a claimed 1,130g in a size medium, about 300g heavier than the Izalco Max.
Despite not having tested the Paralane in the wind tunnel, Focus says the new frame and updated cockpit should make it more aerodynamic than the previous generation.
The new tube shapes also make the frame 15 per cent lighter and three per cent more compliant overall, according to the brand.
However, the bottom bracket and head tube are said to be 29 per cent and 19 per cent stiffer respectively to improve responsiveness and power transfer.
Unlike the Izalco Max, which uses a D-shaped aero seatpost, the Paralane has a round seatpost for improved comfort.
Practical integration
The new Paralane now comes with the Focus CIS Technology stem, which is compatible with round, 31.8mm handlebars.
In this ‘cockpit integration system’, brake and gear cables pass beneath the stem into the headset.
This reduces front-end drag while also making it easier to attach a handlebar bag, according to the brand.
Focus supplies the Paralane with an integrated out-front bike computer mount. A bike light or camera can be fitted beneath it, according to the brand.
At the same time, Focus says removing or adding spacers to adjust handlebar height remains a simple job. You can also swap stem length without having to open brake lines.
Winterproofing
Focus separately sells a dedicated set of mudguards for the Paralane for €59.95. It says they offer full coverage and do not rattle, suggesting the Paralane could serve as a winter bike.
These attach to special axles supplied with the fender set and to the removable seatstay bridge, included with the bike.
Focus says other brands’ mudguards can fit, provided the brackets are long enough and they have the correct fittings on the end. But you would have to buy the fender set because the axles are not sold separately.
The frameset has clearance for 35mm-wide tyres without mudguards, or 33mm with tyres that feature tread, such as gravel tyres or cyclocross tyres, or when using mudguards.
As on the recently updated Giant Defy and Specialized Roubaix SL8 (which have clearance for 38mm and 40mm-wide tyres, respectively), such clearance is approaching all-road territory.
The brand says the Paralane is composed on gravel, but the Focus Atlas is its specialist adventure gravel bike.
Bikepacking-friendly features
The new Paralane has mounts to screw in the top tube bag included with the bike.
It also comes with frame protection stickers to cover the frame, should you want to carry extra bikepacking bags.
Focus says the maximum system weight (the bike, load and rider) for the Paralane is 120kg. This should enable most riders to safely transport enough luggage to go touring.
Focus Paralane geometry
Focus has slightly relaxed the Paralane’s endurance geometry by increasing stack height across the size range.
This is intended to put the rider in a more upright position, reducing the risk of hand pain on long rides, according to the brand.
With a choice of six stem lengths, from 70mm to 120mm, Focus says bike fitters confirmed the Paralane can be customised to fit 95 per cent of riders.
The wheelbase has also been lengthened to enhance stability on bumpy terrain.
A 74-degree seat angle should put you over the cranks for an efficient pedalling position. Steering should be responsive yet not overly fast due to the head angle of 72 degrees.
| Size | XS | S | M | L | XL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seat tube length (mm) | 455 | 485 | 505 | 535 | 575 |
| Тop tube length (mm) | 511.4 | 530.2 | 549 | 567.5 | 596.6 |
| Head angle (degrees) | 70,5 | 71 | 72 | 72 | 72,5 |
| Seat angle (degrees) | 75 | 75 | 74 | 74 | 73 |
| Chainstay length (mm) | 415 | 415 | 415 | 615 | 415 |
| Вottom bracket drop (mm) | 75 | 75 | 75 | 75 | 75 |
| Нead tube length (mm) | 115 | 134 | 154 | 179 | 209 |
| Fork length (mm) | 381.5 | 381.5 | 381.5 | 381.5 | 381.5 |
| Fork rake (mm) | 50 | 50 | 50 | 50 | 50 |
| Wheelbase (mm) | 989 | 999 | 1,004 | 1,017 | 1,036 |
| Stack (mm) | 535.3 | 556.1 | 578.8 | 602.6 | 633.1 |
| Reach (mm) | 368 | 376 | 383 | 389 | 403 |
| Standover height (mm) | 746.3 | 762 | 778.1 | 795.1 | 814.3 |
| Stem (mm) | 80 | 90 | 100 | 110 | 110 |
| Crank (mm) | 170 | 170 | 172.5 | 172.5 | 175 |
| Handlebar width (mm) | 400 | 400 | 420 | 420 | 440 |
| Мaximum seatpost insertion (mm) | 220 | 250 | 250 | 290 | 320 |
| Stack to reach ratio | 1.45 | 1.68 | 1.51 | 1.55 | 1.57 |
Focus Paralane Max builds and specifications
The Focus Paralane range comprises three models. The Ultegra Di2-equipped Paralane 8.9 tops the range at £5,199 / €5,299 / AU$6,999.
At £4,199 / €4,299 / AU$5,499, the Paralane 8.8 is the mid-tier model specced with SRAM Rival eTap AXS.
The entry-level Paralane 8.7 is built around a Shimano 105 R7100, 12-speed mechanical groupset and costs £2,899 / €2,999 / AU$3,999.
US pricing for all three models is yet to be confirmed.
The majority of the Paralane’s components are typical sizes and standards, such as the round, 27.2mm seatpost and 31.8mm handlebar, which should be easy to swap out if desired.
Focus claims the bearings in the BSA bottom bracket are double-sealed for increased longevity.
Should you want to convert the Paralane from its standard 2x to a 1x drivetrain, the front derailleur mount is also removable.
Focus Paralane 8.9
- Frame: Carbon frame with NACA shape (1,050g size medium)
- Groupset: Shimano Ultegra Di2 R8170
- Wheelset: DT Swiss ER1600 Spline Dicut
- Tyres: Vittoria Rubino TR, 700x32c
- Cockpit: Focus CIS stem and Easton EC70 Aero Handlebar
- Price: £5,199 / €5,299 / AU$6,999
Focus Paralane 8.8
- Frame: Carbon frame with NACA shape (1,050g size medium)
- Groupset: SRAM Rival AXS eTap, 12-speed
- Wheelset: DT Swiss ER1800 Spline
- Tyres: Vittoria Zaffiro TR, 700x32c
- Cockpit: Focus CIS stem and BBB alloy handlebar
- Price: £4,199 / €4,299 / AU$5,499
Focus Paralane 8.7
- Frame: Carbon frame with NACA shape (1,050g size medium)
- Groupset: Shimano 105, 12-speed mechanical
- Wheelset: Alex Rims Boondocks 5
- Tyres: Vittoria Zaffiro TR, 700x32c
- Cockpit: Focus CIS stem and BBB alloy handlebar
- Price: £2,899 / €2,999 / AU$3,999